Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-01-25

GRANTS DRINKING HABITS.
| GEN. BOyntOn's Justification Of Mr..
Halstead's Letter TO Secretary Chase.
TO Sundays New York Sun Gen. II. v. Boynton
contributed deeply interesting chapter OF war
history, dealing particularly with the drinking
habits OF Gen. Grant and the efforts OF the latters
lrlends, especially Gen. Rawins, to save him from
himself Gen. BOynton first gives letter not long
ago made public from Murat Halstead to Secretary
Chase' winch contains very savage attack on Gen.
Grant. This letter, 1t is claimed, was stolen from
the private papers Of the late Chief Justice. 1t
was dated at Cincinnati, Feb 10th, 1853, and in
closed an extract from a letter received by Mr..
Halstead from trusted correspondent with the
Union army In front Of Vicksburg. The extract is
as follows:
here never was more thoroughly disguised
uiSheaIteneo, dem0raliZed army than this Is, and
all because it is under such men as Grant
a and sherman and Disease Is decimating its
lows are dying Of smallpox and every
other conceivable malady, the medical department
Is amlcted with delirium tremens. In Memphis
snaLpox patents are made to walk through the
Sooto from camp to hospitals, while drunken
noctors ride from bar-rooms in government ambu-
behnd at For+ How is it. that Grant who was
prlsed and whipped at Shiloh, and driven back
rom ON OXFORD l1a1r Miss. is still in commando"
things are true. Our noble army Of the Mississippi
IS being wasted by the foolish, drunken, stupid
Gran1. ne can't organize, or control or fight an
know he is an ass"
TT This letter OF Mr.. Halstead when made public a
lew months ago, naturally arouse storm of in
dignation against that gentleman. The purpose
OF the article which Gen. BoynJon has written is
10 snow tnere was good ground for the charges
RAwLIN's WARNING LETTER.
To prove this a letter written to Gen. Grant
"hen ne was In command before vicksburg, by
Gen. John A. Rawlins, his chief Of stan, and de-
NV 9y the latter to Gen. Grant on the day OF
lCS date, Is given as follows:
BEFORE VICKSBURG, MISS June G. 1853
DEAR GENERAL: The great solieitude feel for
l had hoped never again to doNthe subject Of YOUR
DRINKING. This may surprise you, for may be
land trust ann doing you an injustice by un-
the side OF his countrys safety than in fear OF Of
fend1ng friend l have heard that Dr. Mcmillan
at Gen; shermans few days ago. induced you,
Notwithstanding your pledge to me, to take glass
OF wine, and to-day, when found box OF wine in
'front.' OF your tent and proposed to move 1t, which
away, for you intended to keep it until you en-
tered vlcks6urg, that you might have it for your
II1ends; and tonight. when you should, because
OF Cne condition OF your health IL nothing else
nave been In bed, find you where the wine bottle
mas just been emptied, In company with those who
drink and urge you to do likewise, and the lack Of
your usual promptness OF decision and clearness
IN expressing yourself in writing tended to con-
firm my SuSpiciOnS
You have the Juu control of your appetite and
can iet drinking alone. Had you not pledged me
the sincerity or your honor early last March that
you would drink no more during the war, and kept
Inat pedge during your recent campaign, you
would not to-day have stood first in the worlds
history as successful military leader. Your only
salvation depends upon your strict adherence to
tnat pledge You cannot succeed in any other
way. AS have before stated may be wrong IN
my suspicious, but If one sees that which leads
G fol
post 1t Is his duty to arouse him; and ii one sees
that which leads him to fear the general com
step which he knows win bring disgrace e. UPON
that general and defeat to his command il he fails
10 SOUND the proper note OF warming, the friends,
ne permits to remain thus imperilled will accuse
him while he lives and stand swift witnesses of
wrath against him in the day when all shall be
Lf1ed. III my suspicious are unfOunded. let nv
fr1endeh1p for you and my zeal for my country be
my excuse for this letter. and If they are correctly
monittOns and the prayers of this hasty note by
Immediately ceasing to touch single drop OF any
KIND OF liquor no matter by whom asked or under
WnaJ circumstances, let my immediate relief from
duCy Id This department be the result. l am gen.
eral your friend, JOHN A. RAWIISs
The retained copy OF this letter was endorsed by
Gen. RaWl1nS as follows:
rms Is an exact copy OF letter given to the
person TO whom 1t is addressed at its date, about
four miles from our headquarters in the rear of
VlckSOllIg. It's admOnlttOnS were needed and all
Commenting on this letter, Gen Boynton says:
.'Ihe spirit In which Gen. Grant received the let
ter, as shown by the endorsement and by the
promptness with which he needed it. must raise
him to oftier heights in the minds Of all who study
better] than he that taketh CITY," In the face
OF the specific dignifed and yet startling arraign-
mens OF this letter of the chief OF stan, the Hal
stead-Chase letter, so far as that relates to Gen
Grant at V1cksburg, stands indicated"
GRANTS MEETING WITH cHEATHAM
continuing his narrative Gen. BOynton tells OF
memorable meeting on boats bearing flags of
truce between Gen. Grant and Gen Cheatham on
the Mississippi after Belmont. Cheatham came
from the headquarters Of Gen. Leontdas Polk. at
Columbus, Ky. 1.-THE scene which followed is Still
fresh In the minds OF those who witnessed it, Gen
Grant and Cheatham had served together in Mex
lcO Ihe meeting was one OF great cOrdal1ty AS
the hours wore on the bounds OF extreme conyi-
vlalty had been passed. Before the final farewells
other evidences Of total forgetfulness Of
the circumstances and the responsible
ties Of the occasion which need not be
enced by the onicers and crews of the resnscGiye
boats In finding and properly separating the rep
resentatives Of the two commands. At length the
DOatS parted, and each steamed toward its own
lines. some time afterward those in charge OF the
conlederate transport discovered that they had
about the same time the captain OF the union boat
found that he had in Possession high confede-
rate omcer Each steamer turned on it's course
and each met the other advancing on a similar
mission. When an exchange was made the con-
1ederateS not daring to return at once. lest Gen.
POLK SnOuld learn the facts and make all concerned
feel the Iron OF his strict discipline under the pre-
tence that fuel was needed, headed for wood
yard, and arriving tied up there over night, in
order that all evidence OF the days events might
be Obllterated."
HOW HALLECK SAVED GRANT
Regarding the episode in the Cumberland. after
Donelson, the narrative declares that the attacks
on Gen. Halleck for his treatment of Gen. Grant
were most unjust, because Halleck really saved
GRANT. the narrative continues: "It is doubtful
WheCner another case can be found where the
commanding Omcer Of an army which had gained
declded victory left that army and severed for
days his communications with his super1ors leay-
Ing them TO call In vain for statement OF his
losses Tor the strength OF his forces for his needs
IN tne Way OF re-entOrCementS for the Indications
OF the next rallyfng point Of the enemy and for
other similar and most important points of infOr-
NATION. When Gen. Halleck was impOrtuned from
washington day after day for report upon these
SUBJECTS, and finally became aware that the DELAY
was cansed by Gen. Grant having Presumed his
former bad habits, 1t became his duty to report It,
ington were wondering where the enemy would
next concentrate, and considering what instant
ORDERS and preparations were called for by
the situation, which was then but partially
understood. The order that came from
Mr. stanton authorizing the arrest Of Grant was
just ana proper order. Anything short of it would
nave been tfin1ng with the interests OF the nation
me onense was gross. There are living witnesses